Organizer Information
Media Art Xploration (MAX) is a New York City–based organization operating at the intersection of artistic creation, scientific inquiry, and technology. MAX fosters deep collaborations between artists, scientists, and technologists to produce groundbreaking live and immersive experiences. Their mission is to amplify scientific insight through storytelling while exploring its human, social, and ethical implications. The MAXmachina laboratory program supports innovative projects by providing development resources, commissioning stipends, production support, and mentorship to realize ambitious works from concept to fully produced stage performances in NYC.
Title & Description
MAXmachina 2026: Laboratory for New Works
invites proposals for experimental projects in dance, theater, music, performance, and immersive arts that incorporate technological or scientific exploration. The 2026 cohort theme,
Human Stories inside Complex Systems, emphasizes pairing
technology with strong human narratives to interrogate complex societal, biological, or digital systems. Artists are encouraged to explore concepts including:
- The Ghost in the Machine – celebrating the unpredictable human element in technology.
- Productive Disruption – using imperfection or the “glitch” as creative fuel.
- Narrative vs. Technology – exploring the friction or synergy between story and innovation.
- The Digital/Physical Blur – dissolving boundaries between physical bodies and computational systems.
Participants will receive
commissioning stipends, access to rehearsal spaces, technical equipment, and dedicated production management. Projects culminate in a fully produced NYC showcase, supported by MAX’s artistic director, scientific advisors, and dramaturges.
Categories
- Dance
- Theatre
- Music
- Performance
- Immersive Arts / Multimedia
- Technology-Integrated Arts
Eligibility
- Projects must be past the initial concept phase.
- Must include a live element (bodies performing in real time).
- NYC Premiere: works cannot have been previously performed in New York City.
- Must integrate or interrogate technology or scientific concepts.
- Open to individual artists or collaborative teams with experience in experimental performance.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Commissioning Stipend: $5,000–$7,500 for artist fees and development.
- Production Support: Access to rehearsal space, technical equipment, and production management.
- Mentorship: Guidance from curated scientific advisors, dramaturges, and creative consultants.
- Showcase: Fully produced presentation at a major NYC venue.
- Opportunity to collaborate across disciplines and integrate science, technology, and performance in innovative ways.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form.
- Detailed project description, including how it engages with technology or science.
- Development plan with timeline and expected deliverables.
- Documentation of prior work to demonstrate readiness for the development phase.
- Proposed budget, including travel considerations if outside NYC.
- CVs of principal artists and collaborators.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 March 2026
- Showcase: 2026, at a major NYC venue (exact dates TBD).
Location
New York City,
United States
Additional Details
- Projects should integrate human narratives with complex systems, including scientific and technological insights.
- Development involves structured iterative collaboration with advisors.
- Artists are expected to evolve their work during check-ins and progress updates.
- Travel support is limited; NYC-based teams or those able to self-fund travel may have an advantage.
- Multiple disciplines and hybrid projects are highly encouraged.
